Billy Reed, Harry Turner, Opan Pannell and Dr. James Conrad discuss the documentary film "The Other Side of the Track," a history of the Norris Community in Commerce.

The Lead: Friday, March 11, 2011

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – In Commerce, the latest filing came Thursday when Michael Odom filed for Place 3 on the Commerce City Council. He'll oppose Incumbent Richard Hill on May 14.

Former Councilman John Sands and Chris Hall will challenge one another for Place 1. Incumbent Tony Henry has not indicated if he'll be seeking re-election.

For the Commerce School Board, Place 4 member Ted Oats and Place 5 member Willie Blow remain unopposed.

By Scott Harvey

Austin – A bill to suspend state mandated testing in order to support at risk teachers during this current budget crisis is filed in the Texas House.

It's the second bill associated with public education submitted this week by State Representative for District 2 Day Flynn.

By Scott Harvey

Ector – Students at a Fannin County school are sent home after a teacher's aide is tested for meningitis at a nearby hospital.

All Thursday classes at Ector Elementary School were closed after the aide got sick on Wednesday.

Superintendent Gary Bonhannon tells KXII-TV that there was concern the instructor may have bacterial meningitis, a very contagious type of the infection.

By Scott Harvey

– According the Texas Workforce Commission, Hunt County's unemployment rate rose from 8.7 in December to 9.3 percent in January as the jobs being created failed to keep up with work demand.

Hopkins County also saw a .6 percent jump in jobless figures, listing 7.4 percent in January, although the numbers continue to represent the lowest in the region.

Delta County recorded one of the highest employment rates, at 10.6 percent, while Lamar and Fannin counties posted 10.2 and 10.1 percent rates, respectively.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – 19-year-old Anthony Lawone Lewis, of Greenville and 48-year-old Ronnie Darryle Lewis, of Fort Worth were reportedly two of three people who set a fire or caused an explosion that damaged a residence in July 2010.

Anthony Lewis was arraigned Wednesday. An arraignment date had not been announced for Ronnie Lewis.

Charges, if any, against a third person in the case is still unclear.

By Scott Harvey

Paris – A Lamar County jury has sentenced 24-year-old Shaun Michael Blue to five years in prison after finding him guilty of conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery.

Blue was arrested with his half brother Richard Earl Davidson in 2009 after former Paris Police Chief Karl Louis spotted their car and considered it suspicious.

Davidson testified in the trial that they had been planning to rob an armored car.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – The segregated past of a Commerce neighborhood and its evolvement through the years is brought to light in the recent premier of the documentary film "The Other Side of the Track."

Separated from the rest of the City by railroad tracks, the Norris Community was established through the creation of a club in 1974. Once called "The Hole," the Norris Community has overcome the challenges of a once segregated society and worked to get residents involved.

By Scott Harvey

Commerce – New ideas continue to emerge as to how to close a projected $9.8 billion budget deficit facing Texas public schools for the next biennium.

Quinlan ISD Superintendent Micheal French, speaking with Commerce ISD Superintendent Blake Cooper on this week's Tiger Talk on KETV Channel 3 in Commerce, says that any scenario will require some use of the rainy day fund. He proposes public education receive about $4 billion of the $9 billion saved.

By Scott Harvey

Greenville – Visitation is Thursday evening at Beaty Funeral Home in Winnsboro for Staff Sgt. Chauncey Mays, whose body arrived in Greenville yesterday as hundreds waved American flags to pay their respects.

Yellow flags also lined the motorcade route, as law enforcement, firefighters, Patriot Guard Riders, family and community members looked on.

Thursday's visitation is from 6-9 p.m. A funeral service with full military honors for Mays is Friday at 2 p.m. at Lake Fork Baptist Church in Alba.